The Friends of Maghull & District CIC group, which have gone from strength to strength thanks to the support of Sefton Council’s specialist crowdfunding project, have recently won the BBC Radio Merseyside ‘Make A Difference’ Environment Award.

Dedication and tireless efforts

Out of hundreds of nominees, the hard working community group behind the Stafford Moreton Way and Woodend projects, were chosen for their dedication and tireless efforts which have transformed large parts of their community.

The Friends of Maghull & District CIC (FOMD) group are one of the flagship successes of the Sefton Crowd campaign – a specialist crowdfunding platform from Sefton Council which aims to support groups who want to make positive changes within the areas they live.

Thanks to Sefton Crowd and generous backers, FOMD CIC have raised an astonishing £36,500 towards environmental projects in Maghull. £30,000 was raised towards creating a safe woodland style greenspace called Bobby’s Wood, while a further £6,500 was raised to transform Stafford Moreton Way into an eco-educational area for future generations.

Kind-hearted people

Dr Frank Sharp (FOMD CIC Director) said: “We want this award to be for the countless amazingly kind-hearted people in our community that have contributed at every level, to make a difference to our environment.

“In addition, we would like to thank Sefton Council’s Sefton Crowd platform which has provided us with an invaluable support system to raise funds for the last two projects.”

Working in partnership with Spacehive, the UK’s leading civic crowdfunding platform, Sefton Crowd is an initiative that gives residents with an idea to improve their community the opportunity to gain funding via Spacehive’s crowdfunding platform.

Incredible schemes and ideas

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Through the Sefton Crowd we have already seen some incredible schemes and ideas brought to fruition.

“This award for the FOMD group is very much deserved and we are delighted that we have been able to support their tireless efforts through our platform.

“We continue to search for and support projects that answer our call for ideas which benefit local people and communities.

“I’m also calling on companies and foundations to join us in offering support – whether funding or in-kind – to the ideas people post on the platform so we can work together to make them a real success. The more people that get involved in Sefton Crowd the more amazing places we can create together.”

Supporting a project can cost as little at £2 and funding may also be available via Sefton Council’s Community Transition Fund.

Green-fingered community group are bloomin’ successful thanks to Sefton – My Sefton News Channel